A Life of Grace - (7) Service

College scholarship applicants are often asked to quantify and describe their community service. How would we answer such questions? How much time do we devote to our jobs and your hobbies, compared with the time we commit to serve others?

Christianity is built on the service of our Savior. Jesus "came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45). The blood of Christ purifies "our consciences from dead works to serve the living God" (Heb. 9:14). And a massive part of using the freedom that Christ has secured for us is to lovingly "serve one another" (Gal. 5:13). The greatest in Christ's kingdom will be servants (Matt. 23:11). Submissive, generous service comes from one's "confession of the gospel of Christ" (2 Cor. 9:13). We can serve no other way than by relying on "the strength that God supplies" (1 Peter 4:11).

And God has given us deacons as an example of what the life of service looks like. Through the deacons "the poor and distressed may be relieved and comforted." Jesus says there is a way to give a cup of water in his name (Mark 9:41). Care of less fortunate is why the office was established (Acts 6:1).

We won't all serve the same way. "There are a varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are a varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good (1 Cor. 12:5–7). God gives gifts so that believers might "serve one another" (1 Peter 4:10). In fact, some Christians are more gifted in serving; they love to serve and find joy in it (Rom. 12:7).

So what is the calling of Christian service?